After making a striking directorial debut with her screen adaptation of The Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola offers a story of love and friendship blooming under unlikely circumstances in this comedy drama. Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is a… MoreAfter making a striking directorial debut with her screen adaptation of The Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola offers a story of love and friendship blooming under unlikely circumstances in this comedy drama. Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is a well-known American actor whose career has gone into a tailspin; needing work, he takes a very large fee to appear in a commercial for Japanese whiskey to be shot in Tokyo. Feeling no small degree of culture shock in Japan, Bob spends most of his non-working hours at his hotel, where he meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) at the bar. Twentysomething Charlotte is married to John (Giovanni Ribisi), a successful photographer who is in Tokyo on an assignment, leaving her to while away her time while he works. Beyond their shared bemusement and confusion with the sights and sounds of contemporary Tokyo, Bob and Charlotte share a similar dissatisfaction with their lives; the spark has gone out of Bob's marriage, and he's become disillusioned with his career. Meanwhile, Charlotte is puzzled with how much John has changed in their two years of marriage, while she's been unable to launch a creative career of her own. Bob and Charlotte become fast friends, and as they explore Tokyo, they begin to wonder if their sudden friendship might be growing into something more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A relationship picture with elegant connective tissue; it's brittle and real, focused on the nuances of body language and unspoken desire, while indulging in a cheeky bit of knowing absurdity when the mood strikes.

With performances as good as this, your film is destined for greatness. "Lost in Translation" is a fairly simple story that is told wonderously and… MoreWith performances as good as this, your film is destined for greatness. "Lost in Translation" is a fairly simple story that is told wonderously and really leaves you wanting so much more at the end. That can be a good or bad thing for some films, but the ones that pull it off great and leave you satisfied while still wishing you had ore coming are the ones that succeed, and that is this film. Scarlett Johanssen and Bill Murray have some of the best on-screen chemistry I have ever seen and they make the scenery that much nicer to look at. Both on business trips while away from their significant other, they begin to feel a connection. Where this film takes them and their explorations shown are truly unique and fantastic on film. Beautifully shot, well-acted, and superbly directed, "Lost in Translation" is worthy of every award it has ever achieved.

Dan Schultz

A beautiful, subtle journey detailing two lonely people's lives and the chance meeting they encounter with one another in Japan. Richly detailed in… MoreA beautiful, subtle journey detailing two lonely people's lives and the chance meeting they encounter with one another in Japan. Richly detailed in culture, this is a moving film that shows two Americans mumbling their way through a city they first both hate, but come to love just for the sake of being with each other. Murray shows a different, lighter side that we haven't seen from him before, and Johansson is just as stunning as a distressed woman looking for companionship once her husband proves to be a consistent no-show in her life. This is a very touching film, with a quiet score to complement the two wonderfully restrained performances by Murray and Johannson. The ending is heartbreaking especially, I don't think it will ever leave me. Not everyone's cup of tea to be sure, but definitely a work of art.

Sanjay Rema

This movie suffers from its uneventful premise, but is elevated by Murray and Johansson. They do a great job portraying the different lifestyles between… MoreThis movie suffers from its uneventful premise, but is elevated by Murray and Johansson. They do a great job portraying the different lifestyles between cultures and generations. Both put on very good performances that really pull this film together.

Chris Weber

This is Sofia Coppola's follow up to her smart and sublime debut The Virgin Suicides, and it's a great next step in her career. In a way, this sort of… MoreThis is Sofia Coppola's follow up to her smart and sublime debut The Virgin Suicides, and it's a great next step in her career. In a way, this sort of seemed a little like the works of Alexander Payne, only a bit more hip and indie. The film follows two people: Bob Harris, an actor who is in Tokyo to shoot a whiskey commercial, and Charlotte, a young college graduate who is also in Tokyo, having tagged along with her photographer husband who is in town on business. Charlotte's husband seems more preoccupied with wanting to spend time working and hanging out with a ditzy actress than his wife, so she spends a lot of time bored, sleep deprived, and wandering around alone. One night she and Bob, who is similarly bored and lonely, meet up at their hotel's bar and start to form a bond that just might be the thing both need to lift their collective spirits.
This is a very quiet and subdued film, but I liked that. It's wry, funny, bittersweet, and a tad melancholy, yet it's also very charming and even slightly whimical. I'd also say it's very realistic in how the characters interact and how things end, It reminded me of going on a road trip and experiencing the full range of emotions and experiences that one could go through in just a short amount of time.
This is a slow paced film that is not concrned with wrapping things up in a nice tidy bow and just rushing from one thing to another, but again, for me, that's okay. We need these kinds of things once in a while. Again, it's a lot like life, which isn't always fast paced and super exciting. This obviously isn't a film for all tastes, but if what you've read about it so far sounds interesting, then give it a go.
The film is all about wayward souls adrift and alone, even in a place as crowded as Japan, but despite the isolation (mentally, culturally, and linguistically), and difficulty with communication barriers, this film proves through the bonding of Bob and Charlotte that not all hope is lost, and it's still possible to make a meaningful connection despite all that's going on. Yeah, the ending is one of "those" types where it's ambigupus and open ended, but I think it's the best possible way they could have concluded this.
With a film like this, the themes and stuff won't work unless you've got some great performers to fill the roles, and Coppola struck gold here. Murray long ago cemented his statu as a talented guy, and he delivers one of his best performances here, which, if I'm not mistaken, was the beginning of his sad sack routine, which is something I really grove on. He's funny and pulls off the sadness and boredom stuff well, so it's a win win all around. Johansson truly made herself a star here, and she excels at bringing Charlotte's frustration, insecurities, and doubts to life. Ribisi is decent as Charlotte's husband John, but it's a little one note and underdeveloped. Anna Faris is okay, but also kinda one note as the ditzy actress Kelly whom John knows and could possibly have a deeper connection to.
By this point it should be obvious how I feel about this film. It's got great cinematogrpahy, good music, and, though it sounds shallow, any film that starts by showing a closeup of Scarlett Johansson's butt in see-through pink panties has to be worth a look.

Matthew Samuel Mirliani

Like all of Sofia Coppola's films, Lost in Translation is beautiful, intimate, and mesmerizing. Visually stunning--with a brilliant use of music--and… MoreLike all of Sofia Coppola's films, Lost in Translation is beautiful, intimate, and mesmerizing. Visually stunning--with a brilliant use of music--and exceptionally written and acted, the film is a reflection on life, freedom, and the lessons we learn from one another and from finding our place in the world. Bravo!

Kevin M. Williams

You might have had a great day, a beautiful day, a perfect day, one time before, back in your past somewhere, a time out of familiar surroundings and away from… MoreYou might have had a great day, a beautiful day, a perfect day, one time before, back in your past somewhere, a time out of familiar surroundings and away from friends and family, like in another world, a time spent entirely with a stranger (with whom you know you will never meet again), doing unusual things for the both of you but sharing them together ... and perhaps only have one picture or one thing to remember that day. Well this film recalls the story and feelings behind the picture, the memory of the day, growing more golden with every viewing. It helps if it already happened to you.

Adriel Lim

Fascinatingly funny! It's not a film with a regular coherent plot, but because this one's different. It's a visual allegory, a tour of intrigue… MoreFascinatingly funny! It's not a film with a regular coherent plot, but because this one's different. It's a visual allegory, a tour of intrigue and a look at a man and woman's soul.

Kase Vollebregt

Sofia Coppola's 'Lost in Translation' is an aptly named film that portrays more of the talents that made Coppola the filmmaker she is today. It… MoreSofia Coppola's 'Lost in Translation' is an aptly named film that portrays more of the talents that made Coppola the filmmaker she is today. It may be the film that represents her techniques the best. Again coaxing great performances, especially from the impressive Murray, the film was still unable to completely capture me as the viewer. It is not easy to resonate completely with the film, but its still a solid piece of filmmaking. The cinematography and acting prove to be its high points, but i was not completely satisfied with its script. Worth a shot for anyone, though.

Phil Hubbs

Had to rewatch this as I've now been to Japan and seen it for myself. It makes the film much more believable and touches me in a different way now, a whole… MoreHad to rewatch this as I've now been to Japan and seen it for myself. It makes the film much more believable and touches me in a different way now, a whole new experience as I can relate to the story and the surroundings.
The thing that struck me is how accurate the film is, I know exactly how the main characters feel (mainly Johansson) in and amongst the huge sprawling, towering, crowded metropolis that is Tokyo. The strange feeling of being alone around hundreds and not being able to communicate, not really being noticed, it is a perfect visual picture of feeling isolated or living in a strange solitary state.
Coppola captures the small niches of the country and its people, how they live, eat and relax etc...its a very different world believe me and you can see this in Coppola's direction and use of locations. Of course the performances by Murray and Johansson are brilliant, just right, understated and subtle. Murray starts off in his familiar dry satire type way but evolves into a much deeper person, finishing on a very emotional finale that does put a lump in your throat. And not forgetting Faris as the superstar airhead, very good (and accurate) portrayal there, loved it.
The atmosphere and visuals of the film are glorious of course, being filmed entirely in Tokyo and a little in Kyoto. It all looks so familiar now, makes me wanna go back. Much of the film was actually filmed live too, in front of hundreds of Japanese people who had no clue they were making a film! again that's impressive believe me. It also shows how different the Japanese are, no one batted an eyelid to the filming, they saw it as normal or uninteresting and no one recognised Bill Murray. Not a clue who he was and they didn't much care either, anywhere else and people would crowd around making a huge scene.
The plot is loose and pretty dull in places I admit, if you have no interest in Japan then you won't like this methinks. I believe a little interest in the country/culture helps here. But essentially its just the two main characters chatting, eating, meeting and going about their daily routines in Tokyo. Over time they fall in love but can't seem to reach out and express this to each other. They both have family/relationship situations which hold them back and make things difficult, its actually quite a realistic little story.
Wandering around Tokyo lost a daze of neon lights and bizarre cultural differences. Murray is good with his little work/business sequences (dotted throughout) which offer some comedy, whilst Johansson does more discovering with a segment in Kyoto. A great couple of scenes with Faris offer more laughs when she promotes a Western action flick her character stars in. And a glorious small dinner sequence with Johansson, Faris and the underrated Giovanni Ribisi which involves much awkward small talk and slobbering as Faris and Ribisi's characters flirt.
Can't not mention the touching, soft, emotional almost spiritual soundtrack throughout. Absolutely gorgeous choices of music which compliment the individual sequences beautifully. As said the ending is a real tear jerker which you don't think will get you but it actually does. The track by 'The Jesus and Mary Chain' is playing as Murray's character leaves Johansson behind, gotta say this choked me up as its a lovely scene and really makes you care for the characters.
A classic underrated love tale that manages to grab you when you think your above it. A surprise hit for me plus a wonderful memory of a beautiful country.

Albert Kim

Looking for a good definition of what an Indie film is like? "Lost in Translation" is your answer. It's not a bad thing or a good thing, but what… MoreLooking for a good definition of what an Indie film is like? "Lost in Translation" is your answer. It's not a bad thing or a good thing, but what can be said about this film is this: "Lost in Translation" is the epitome of what an Indie film should be -- an absolutely mesmerizing, out-of-this-world, soothing yet melancholy film.
Right off the bat, gorgeously rich camera shots are riddled about -- infused with a score that's used to a minimum, but when utilized, it drives powerful emotions that are difficult to pinpoint. However, these emotions aren't stirred by these elements alone -- they're correlated with the narrative which makes it such a powerful yet elegant picture. In other words, without the use of deliberate dialogue or on-screen actions to drive a point home, it takes full advantage of the art of music and visuals to tell a commanding story. Superb direction without a doubt.
These merits wouldn't mean a thing without great performances. Bill Murray doesn't disappoint. He provides an incredibly enticing, reserved, nuanced performance in every single frame that he's in. This performance alone shows how dynamic of an actor Murray truly is. Eh, the same can't particularly be said about Scarlett Johansson, which really isn't her fault; she's usually sharing the same scenes with Murray, who's absolutely dominating in every scene, so as you can imagine, she gets the dimmer spot in the limelight. Regardless, she brings enough acting talent to the table to actively develop a convincing chemistry with Bill Murray. That alone is impressive enough.
"Lost in Translation" manages to be more than just a movie for entertainment -- it is an experience. Coppola manages to find the perfect balance between its poignant and pleasurable comedic moments to its more saddening tones. Thus, by the final frames of the movie, "Translation"'s narrative has clutched so tenaciously onto the audience that whatever the narrative wills to do, the audience will have to follow along.

Melvin White

Charlotte: Let's never come here again because it would never be as much fun.
"Everyone wants to be found."
Lost in Translation is a beautiful… MoreCharlotte: Let's never come here again because it would never be as much fun.
"Everyone wants to be found."
Lost in Translation is a beautiful character driven film from Sophia Coppola. It's clear that Lost in Translation won't be for everyone. If you're one of those people that needs a film to have a core plot; you better look elsewhere, because that is not what Lost in Translation is about. There is no plot. None. It's all about two characters and the relationship they form in Japan. This could come of as slow, boring, and pointless to a lot of people that need a standard plot to keep them watching. If you do like movies that are all character, this is a great example of how to make one. It's quiet, low-key, subtle, and brilliant. Coppola did a phenomenal job, but the movie relies on two people to carry it, and carry it they did.
Those two people are Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Bill Murray plays Bob. Bob is a has been actor, who is in Japan to do advertisements for a whiskey brand. Scarlett Johansson plays Charlotte. Charlotte is in Japan with her photographer husband, but she seems more alone than with him. You can tell neither of their marriages are going smoothly right now. I had tons of respect for both Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson before watching Lost in Translation. My respect for Bill Murray couldn't possibly go any higher, but Johansson made me like her even more than I already did; and I already loved her as an actress. And that isn't just because I'm a guy, and she's hot as hell. She gives really good performances, and her work here is among, if not, her best.
Lost in Translation is sweet and funny. It isn't funny in the typical Murray comedy style. The humor is subtle and won't have you dying of laughter. The best way I can describe this film, is that it feels like real life. Most of our lives aren't filled wall to wall with excitement. Their pretty low-key, just like the movie. Murray and Johansson play their characters like real life human beings. There's never a moment where the two just throw themselves at each other, like a lesser movie would do. Their relationship is played out like it would in real life.
This is a must watch film from Coppola. She proved with her sophomore effort, that she wasn't just a one hit wonder, when she made The Virgin Suicides. She has a great understanding of how to make character driven movies, and how to make them in a beautiful, understated sort of way. I for one, love when directors choose to keep things quiet in movies like this. There's no need for over the top dialogue or actions. Everything that is said in Lost in Translation is absolutely perfect.

Sam Barnett

After the first thirty minutes, the movie becomes much slower and a lot more somber. Despite the crawl, Lost In Translation is still a fantastic comedy/drama… MoreAfter the first thirty minutes, the movie becomes much slower and a lot more somber. Despite the crawl, Lost In Translation is still a fantastic comedy/drama due to the believable performances (especially from Murray, who still has comedic timing and delivery down to a science), a consistent and captivating mood, and Coppola's ability to maximize the spectacle, feeling, and visual diversity of the Tokyo setting.